Following on from the thundering acclaim of 2022’s The Death Of Peace Of Mind, Bad Omens have returned for their encore – a colossal expansion pack, delving deeper into the guts of their frazzled dystopia. Boasting a selection of collaborations, dynamic remixes, and triumphant live performances, Concrete Jungle [The OST] sees Bad Omens indulging in a lawless land of electro-industrial experimentation – and it’s glorious.
In line with the comic series it soundtracks, Concrete Jungle is a synthetic neon-noir spectacle. While …Peace Of Mind dabbled in cyberpunk electronics, V.A.N’s sentiment of “violence against nature” is this release’s mantra; drum machines, pulsing synths and grinding alt-metal distortion are rife, and electronics are fully in command. Poppy vocals heighten the track’s artificial sheen, her ethereal vocals clashing with the industrial grit before succumbing to the glitching soundscapes.
Intoxicated by sinister electronics, this record lurks in the dark underbelly of society. Health/Swarm feature The Drain and atmospheric instrumental Digital Footprint exist in a haze of thumping synths, while Warms collab Hedonist [Recharged] and Nervous System, featuring iRis.EXE, lure you into the seductive, sweaty world of underground raves. Bob Vylan’s slick rapping on Terms & Conditions offers a contrasting dose of cynicism, cutting into technology’s desensitising impact on humanity. Remix-wise, the selection varies wildly. Thousand Below’s Artificial Suicide [Unzipped] intensifies the original into a grizzled, frantic flurry, while Dahlia’s lo-fi take on Bad Decisions is delightfully chilled out.
After a well-rounded onslaught of tracks, the live finale confirms that Bad Omens are the real deal – they sound spectacular. When Bring Me The Horizon took them on tour this year, the support slot hinted that they may be the ‘nex gen’ of metal – and, hearing their rabid crowd of diehard fans screeching along, it’s clear Bad Omens have the potential to go very far.
Concrete Jungle [The OST] is out this Friday, May 31
